The 2003 season is only 2 races old but already looks like being a vintage year. A debut win for Raikkonen, a win for Coulthard, an all Renault front row in Malaysia, Alonso’s first podium and Michael Schumacher getting Champagne withdrawal symptoms. This weekend it is off to Brazil were Schumacher’s past form suggests he should have a winning chance, but current form is another story.

The Interlagos track requires a compromise set up, good downforce for the slow, twisty infield section and low drag for the low uphill straight, a good 17 seconds at full throttle so horse power is a big advantage. The weather is usually hot but rain is always possible and the latest forecast is for thunderstorms for all three days, but that was the forecast for Malaysia and not a drop was seen.

One feature of the season so far is that Michelin appear to have produced a better tyre. An all Michelin podium in Melbourne and two out of three in Malaysia. The Bridgestone’s behaved very strangely in Malaysia, good for a couple of laps before really dropping off while the Michelins gave a good steady performance. Maybe now that the tyre makers are allowed to make separate compounds for each team one of Ferraris biggest advantages has been removed. Bridgestone made their 2002 tyres to suit Ferrari and Ferrari alone, while Michelin had to compromise between the very differing needs of the Williams and McLaren.

Tyres played a big part in last years Brazilian GP, the hot conditions playing to Michelins strengths. 7 of the top 8 finishers and 6 out of the top 7 on the grid were all on the French Rubber. With this years Michelins looking a very decent improvement over last year, it looks a smart move to make sure that your selections have the blue logo on the round black things.

That is bad news for Schumacher and no doubt he would be happy to see a wet race as it might be his best chance of a win. Last year he held of his brother Ralf to make it 4 wins on this circuit, to go with his other 6 podiums. Quite a record. However, last year Ferrari rushed in their new car to counter the threat from Williams and he knocked Montoya out of the game on the first lap. Some critics suggested that Ralf was not aggressive enough and never really took on his brother despite having a faster car.

Barrichello will come here with mixed feelings. The home town boy will be expected to win by the F1 crazy Brazilian crowd, but with only 1 finish from 10 starts, his record here is not one to inspire confidence.

It looks like this years Brazilian GP is set up for another good race for McLaren and perhaps the Williams. The BMW engine has the necessary grunt to make the most of the long uphill straight and they have set fastest lap here for the last two years. The team has been disappointed with the first two races despite nearly winning the first and having Montoya’s chances destroyed in a first corner shunt at Sepang. Ralf Schumacher in the second Williams has not had a good start to the season. He is struggling to master the new 1 lap qualifying system and has received a warning from the team that he must do better. He might click this weekend but Montoya looks the better bet for Williams. For the first bets of the weekend go to PaddyPower.com and their Dual Forecast betting. 1 point Coulthard/Montoya at 25/1 and 1 point Raikkonen/Montoya at 20/1.

Montoya has performed well here in his only two starts at Interlagos. He was robbed of certain victory in 2001 when punted of the track by Verstappen whom was being lapped at the time and in 2002 he took pole but got the Schumi chop on lap1 which required a pit stop to get a new front wing. He stormed through from the back of the field to finish 5th, setting fastest lap along the way. He is due win here and the Williams BMW has had some significant modifications since Malaysia. New under floor, front wing and rear suspension were fitted for last weeks test in Spain in which Ralf ended up fastest. Montoya was very happy indeed and very much fancies his chances come Sunday and so do I. Rain is a worry but he looks a good bet at the generally available 10/1. Skybet did have him at 12/1 but that is now just 9/1. However they still offer him at 9/4 for the podium. I suggest 4 points Montoya to win at 10/1 (generally) and 2 points for a podium finish at 9/4 (Skybet).

McLaren have got of to a near perfect start with 1 win a piece for their two drivers. Coulthard was unlucky to have suffered a mechanical failure in Malaysia, but Raikkonen was unlucky in Melbourne, so these two look pretty evenly matched. However Raikkonen has not taken well to the new qualifying format, making mistakes and losing grid positions. The more experienced Coulthard, never a master of the old system, is good enough to keep things reasonably tidy. Raikkonen is regarded as the better qualifier but it is the Scot who is 2 – 0 up in qualifying this season and has out qualified Raikkonen in the last 5 races. Unibet.co.uk offer 2.10 for Coulthard to out qualify Raikkonen and that is worth a 3 point bet.

As mentioned earlier, this is not a happy hunting ground for Barrichello and Betinternet.com have matched Barrichello and Raikkonen in a race match bet. The young Finn is already 2 -0 up this season and with the advantage of Michelin rubber he looks over priced to win this match up at 10/11. Another 3 point bet.

The Renaults of Alonso and Trulli had a great weekend in Sepang, or at least Alonso did. Pole position and a podium finish showed just how good he is and that what the Renault lacks in power it can make up for in aerodynamic performance. They had a good race here last year and I can see no reason why they should not do so again. Another podium, while not impossible, looks unlikely. In Malaysia M. Schumacher, Coulthard and Montoya were all out of the picture by the 3rd lap and it is unlikely to happen again. Of the two Renault drivers, my vote goes to Alonso. He seems to have a cool head and a bucketful of talent. The same cannot be said for Trulli. He cocked up in Sepang, could not get past Firman, got stuck behind Button, spun while trying to put him under pressure and pressed the wrong button when pitting, causing the fuel flap to close. He is a flapper. There is little value backing them to get in the points at 1.83, but Bet365.com offer Alonso at 3.60 to be ‘Best of the Rest’. The leading opposition to Renault in this market is BAR and Sauber, both of whom use Bridgestone tyres. A 3 point bet (would have been more but for the threat of rain).

9.35pm USA ET / 2.35am GMT LA Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks

The LA Lakers look to continue their late-season surge tonight when they travel to take on the league-leading Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers are 43-31 SU this season and an even 37-37 ATS while the Mavs lead the association at 56-18 SU but are an unprofitable 35-39 ATS.

Joe Public knows that Dallas have a high-octane offense but the oddsmakers are also well aware of this fact and the under is now 8-3 for their last 11 home games...and 20 of their 37 games at American Airlines Center this season have gone under.

Just one of the Lakers last nine road games has gone over tonight's posted total of 206 and that was when they blew-out the SuperSonics by 21 points....not many are predicting a blow-out tonight though!

The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these teams and tonight we're expecting at least one sub-50 point quarter in a game that should have play-off like intensity.